CSOs advocate collaboration to achieve sustainable development

The event was organized by STAR Ghana Foundation. They partnered with the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), Oxfam in Ghana, ActionAid Ghana, Norsaac, Sung Foundation, and School for Life. The goal was to bring together stakeholders to strategize on sustainable development projects. These projects aim to address infrastructure deficits and promote economic growth in communities. They also support achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana.

The forum had the theme "Enhancing Coordination and Mutual Accountability in Northern Ghana." It aimed to strengthen collaboration among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Northern Ghana. Stakeholders included NGOs, academia, research institutions, media, and traditional authorities.

Since its start in 2021, the Northern Ghana CSOs Forum has been a unique platform. It allows CSOs to share experiences and discuss challenges. This year’s edition focused on improving coordination and partnerships amid declining funding for CSOs.

Mr. Mohammed-Anwar Sadat Ada is the Country Director of Oxfam in Ghana. He noted that many interventions have operated in silos for decades. Projects often suffer from weak monitoring systems, leading to fragmented efforts. Partnerships can help ensure value for money and project effectiveness.

He emphasized that true sustainable development requires patience and systemic change. It should not just focus on short-term wins or service delivery.

Alhaji Mohammed Awal Alhassan is the Executive Director of Norsaac. He stressed the importance of mutual project development to avoid duplication of efforts. He praised STAR Ghana for convening this forum to identify community issues.

Alhaji Osman Abdel-Rahman is the Executive Director of GDCA and Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Forum. He highlighted that a sustainable framework for accountability will champion developmental projects effectively.

NGOs have significantly contributed to poverty alleviation in the region. However, resource allocation often favors specific organizations while others are overlooked. Collaboration is essential to address this issue.

He mentioned analyzing implications of shrinking funding sources in Northern Ghana is crucial. Innovative strategies are needed for securing alternative funding sources as well.

The forum also aimed to gather collective CSO perspectives on constitutional review processes. Mr. Frederick Nuuri-Teg is the Northern Ghana Projects Manager at STAR Ghana Foundation. He pointed out that many CSOs lack coordination, leading to mismatched development outcomes.

This forum seeks to address these gaps and maximize CSO impact within local communities.